Dell charging me for drivers for 7

[synysterlulz]

I bought a Dell laptop for school and I am downgrading too Windows Seven and they do not have drivers for 7 on there website. So I call them and they said the only way I could get windows seven drivers for my product is if I paid for them. So the agent said I have to transfer you to our other department and they might me able to help you but its not for sure-_-.... dell blows and now I have an 800$ laptop that I can't do what I want with.

 

[Computer0304]

I think unless you are willing to pay, you are forced to using Windows 8. But you could try searching for the OEM drivers if you want. How much are they asking you to pay?

 

[synysterlulz]

I did not even ask them how much they charge because they shouldn't be charging for drivers to a device I already purchased anyway. I can't even get a clean OEM install disk from them either they refuse to give you the install disk unless it's the dell one, kinda lame. How would I go about finding the OEM drivers for my laptop. Model: Dell Inspiron 15 7537
Thanks for the reply!

 

[Slartybart]

Is it Win8 Pro? How to Downgrade from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 7 Professional | Dell US

Drivers are pretty much hardware specific, it's the install and secondary software that is OS related.

OEM drivers should be fine - finding some chipset drivers (USB 3.0) might be difficult.

 

[Slartybart]

Let Windows Update offer device drivers (optinal category) - install what it offers, then back fill from OEM sites

Create an audit with Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more.

Do not use 3rd party driver finders, go to Intel, AMD, Realtek, Synaptics... the real OEM to get the drivers you need.

 

[synysterlulz]

@Slartybart, it did not come with Windows 8 Pro unfortunately. When I re-installed Windows 7 most of the drivers worked fine, but the Ethernet driver would not install. There was also two other unknown devices and wasn't sure what they were.

 

[synysterlulz]

@Slartybart, can I run Belarc Advisor on a clean install of Win7 without drivers? The windows 8 is long gone they are sending me a new one in the mail -_-

 

[Slartybart]

See what Windows Update has in optional upates. Some drivers might be offered.

 

[Slartybart]

sure Belarc doesn't care Win7 ... Win8

 

[synysterlulz]

@Slartybart, ok I will just install all the drivers it lets me. Then I will do all the windows updates to see what I get. I will report back in like 2-3 hours hopefully won't take that long:/. Hahah I do not expect you guys to be here at that time. Thanks for the help! (will report back soon)

 

[Slartybart]

So you know where to look for the optional updates right - that's where WU offers drivers

 

[Slartybart]

This might help too: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/96442-device-manager-finding-unknown-devices.html

 

[Kari]

Windows 7 is pretty good in finding drivers.

I would install Seven, run Windows Update including all optional updates as many times as needed for Windows to tell there's nothing more to update, then check the device manager to see if I'd need to go hunting.

Kari

 

[Slartybart]

Windows 7 is pretty good in finding drivers.

I would install Seven, run Windows Update including all optional updates as many times as needed for Windows to tell there's nothing more to update, then check the device manager to see if I'd need to go hunting.

Kari

Win7 is installed, Windows is Updating, Drivers from WU, then hunt.

The plan is already in motion.

 

[synysterlulz]

Hi again, So I have managed to find some of the drivers and they work. I found the Realtek Ethernet Driver but I get an error every time I install which says "findfile failed". I also could not find the USB Controller.

 

[Slartybart]

Hi synysterlulz

PM me the belarc advisor report (you'll need to zip it first) - don't post it, your lic key is there.
or copy the belarc information about the two devices and post it (you can copy and paste)

What devices did you have to hunt down and where did you get them? (besides the NIC and USB)

Bill
_

 

[synysterlulz]

Okay I will get it ready right now and PM it to you. Windows and everything is already fully updated.

 

[Bongo]

Steps 1, 2, 3 A (& screenshot below step 6)of this tutorial may help http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2803-device-installation-settings.html

Jerry

 

[Slartybart]

Thanks Jerry!

synysterlulz: read what Bongo posted, it might make this really easy.

 

[synysterlulz]

I just changed the device install settings going to try and install them now.